Even before Li Na's exploits at the Australian Open, tennis was one of the fastest growing sports in China. Once seen as primarily a game, for the middle classes, it is now more accessible and affordable to play in the country than before. And Li Na's achievement down under is only expected to encourage more people to pick up a racquet.

Thirteen year old Wang Haoran has come all the way from Shanxi to learn tennis at this club in Beijing. He has only been playing for a year but after practicing six hours a day for the last two weeks, he can already serve and volley with ease.

Wang said, "I just love tennis, so much. So my father sent me here to develop that interest."

Though still a relative newcomer, Wang is already able to hold his own against veterans like Bai Tao, who has been a regular at this club for five years. Tennis initially just formed part of his bodybuilding exercises, but he soon became infatuated with the sport. He believes stars like Li Na will now spark a boom in tennis in China.

Bai Tao, tennis player, said, "Tennis is one of the major sports in the world. It has a big impact and is very exciting to watch. I believe this sport will become the popular choice for many more people."

CCTV reporter said, The building of new courts in Beijing has reduced the prohibitive expense stopping many people from playing and the capital has currently over two thousand tennis clubs, including over a dozen indoor clubs like this one.

According to the WTA, more than 130 million Chinese people are interested in tennis. Three WTA and ATP events are held in China including the 4.5 million US dollar flagship event in Beijing. Twenty tournaments are televised by the state network every year, with Saturday's Australian open final likely to become the most watched tennis match of all time in the country.

Xu Yang who provided commentary to Saturday's match on CCTV5 believed such massive attention could be used to develop the game.

Xu said, "There used to be a tennis boom in 2004 when Li Ting and Sun Tiantian won a medal at Athen's Olympics. Many Chinese families have chosen to enroll their children in tennis courses. A grand slam title will spark a even greater boom this time."

But Xu also cautions that to become a professional player requires more than enthusiasm and not everyone can become the next Li Na. But one thing everyone can is savour the enjoyment of the sport.

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